Facility used for the production and/or assembly of goods

ABSTRACT

There is proposed a preferably transportable (mobile) and/or re-usable production facility, as is quick and easy to erect virtually at any location in this world. This production facility virtually comprises a tent structure, wherein the roof of the facility is held by at least one carrier (support) and at the same time at least one device for raising or lowering or moving goods or parts thereof, for example crane structures, is also provided on the carrier itself. Such a crane structure can be of a variable configuration and facilitate in particular the production of goods which are heavy and/or which for assembly can no longer be raised or moved by human strength. A production facility is also provided having a central hall with connecting locations for receiving production modules. The production modules may include substantially all tools and devices for assembling or producing goods within the production facility.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/632,023 filed Mar. 4, 2008, which is a national stage applicationfiled under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No.PCT/EP2005/053219, accorded an International Filing Date of Jul. 6,2005, which claims priority to German Application No. 10 2004 032 945.1filed Jul. 7, 2004. Each of these applications is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure concerns a facility for the production and/or assembly ofgoods. As is known, such facilities are factories or fixed buildings inwhich there are machines and also transport capacities for producingindividual parts of an article and/or putting together a completearticle from a number of individual parts, that is to say assembling thearticle, and then further processing or transporting the articleproduced in that way.

2. Description of the Related Art

However, for the production and assembly of goods, it is not alwaysworthwhile to just erect an entire factory building. The reasons forthis are not only general costs, but can also be that a given projecthas to be performed at a given location, but subsequently production atthat location no longer makes any further economic sense.

EP 0 411 126 A1 discloses an industrial building having various cells,wherein a crane is arranged at the centre of each cell and serves tohold a horizontal platform of a ceiling construction.

JP 04306366 A discloses a roof construction for a crane in order to beable to carry out building works even in bad weather.

DE 44 27 164 A1 discloses a tent which is held by a crane. In thatarrangement the crane is disposed with its jib outside the tent so thatthe crane can access components within the tent only at a location witha corresponding opening in the roof of the tent.

DD 137 131 discloses a large-chamber double silo. A rotary cane isprovided within each silo.

DE 102 08 850 A1 discloses an assembly works for the assembly ofindustrial products. In particular shown therein is an assembly worksfor motor vehicles. The assembly works substantially comprises a mainmodule with laterally disposed secondary modules.

DE 298 00 471 also discloses an installation for the production ofindustrial goods.

DE 689 09 169 T2 discloses a method and a modular building arrangementfor industrial buildings. A building can be erected by means of amultiplicity of those modules.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a simplesolution so that the production of goods at a given location is alsopossible without having to erect expensive factory buildings, forexample, by providing a facility as set forth in one or more of theattached claims. Advantageous developments are set forth in theappendant claims.

In accordance with one embodiment there is proposed a preferablytransportable (mobile) and/or re-usable production facility, such as tobe quickly and easily erected at virtually any location in this world.The production facility comprises virtually a tent structure, whereinthe roof of that facility is held by at least one carrier as the supportand also at the same time at least one device for raising or lowering ormoving goods or parts thereof, for example crane structures, is providedon the carrier itself. Such a crane structure can be of a widelyvariable configuration and facilitates in particular the production ofgoods which are very heavy and which for assembly cannot generally belifted or moved by human strength.

The disclosure includes the idea of using a commercially availablerotary crane, in particular a commercially available rotary tower crane,as a main support for a production tent.

According to one alternative, a lightweight construction hall isequipped with a transport or crane capacity and to which modular units,for example in the form of containers, can be docked, so that the hallitself forms the working space while the respective kind of productionis defined by way of the connected modular production units. Theproduction know-how is therefore made available by the docked modularunit, in which respect that know-how also includes in particularmachines and in particular also those items of equipment which are usedfor the assembly and/or handling and/or production of the goods to beproduced.

It will be appreciated that it is also possible to place not just onemodular unit but a plurality thereof in the production facility in orderthus to allow the most possible complex production of a plurality ofdifferent goods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are described in greater detailhereinafter. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view in section of a mobile productionfacility in accordance with a first embodiment by way of example,

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the arrangement of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the mobile production hall of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a production facility in accordance with asecond embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view in section of a production hall or aproduction tent 1 according to one embodiment. In this case theproduction tent 1 preferably comprises two tent units which areconnected together. The two tent units are supported by a large crane 2and a small crane 3. Both cranes 2, 3 can be commercial rotary towercranes (as shown). In order to increase the height of the tent 1 abovethe crane height, a support element 4 is mounted on the large crane 2and a support element 5 is mounted on the small crane 3. Accordingly thetwo cranes 2, 3 carry the vertical loads of the tent 1. Cables 12, 17,in particular steel cables, are used for lateral support for the tent 1.In that case, two tips of the two tent units, respectively, areconnected together by a tensioning cable 17, while further tensioningcables 17 are connected to an outer post 10 a. In order further toimprove stability, pillars 10 are disposed at least one edge of the tent1, the pillars 10 being connected by means of tensioning cables 12 to aring 13 through which the support 4 extends. The ring 13 serves forconnecting the pillars 10 to each other, not however for transmittingthe forces from the support.

A concrete mixing installation 30 with corresponding silos 40 isprovided toward at least one edge of the tent 1. The concrete can beconveyed into containers 32 by way of a chute 31 so that thosecontainers 32 with the concrete can be transported by means of the largecrane to appropriate locations in the tent 1. Provided at determinedpositions in the tent 1 are individual production departments 20 whichserve to carry out the various production steps. The concrete can thenbe poured into a mold or used as a component for a product. After theconcrete has cured, the crane 2 can pick up the completed product andplace it on a truck or some other transportation vehicle to remove theassembled part from the structure.

A respective ventilation opening 90 can be provided at the tip of eachof the large and small cranes 2, 3. In addition a trench 200 for waterdrainage can be provided laterally at the tent 1.

While FIG. 1 shows a tent 1 comprising two sub-tents, the mobileproduction unit can also be implemented only with one tent. As analternative thereto the (mobile) production unit may also be implementedwith a plurality of tents.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of the perspective sectional view of FIG. 1. Herethe transition between the crane 2 and the support 4 is shown in greaterdetail. In this case the crane 2 has a pivot joint socket 2 a at itstip. At its one end which is towards the crane 2 the support 4 has apivot joint ball 4 a which is fitted into the pivot joint socket 2 a. Byvirtue of that arrangement of the pivot joint socket 2 a and the pivotjoint ball 4 a, the crane can rotate without the support 4 also rotatingtherewith. This pivot joint socket connection is shown as a generalschematic of one acceptable coupling. Many other acceptable couplingscan be used which connect the support 4 to the crane 2, including aclosed socket connection, a ball and joint or other connection. A pivotjoint ball and a pivot joint socket can also be provided between thesmall crane 3 and the support 5.

A ring 13 is also shown. Shown on the ring 13 are the cables 12,preferably made for example of steel, extending between the ring 13 andthe respective pillars 10. In this case the cables 12 serve for lateralstabilization of the tent. The arrangement of the ring 13 provides thatthe forces can be transmitted between the posts or away from the postswithout in that case influencing the support 4.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the production unit of FIG. 1. In this casealso the production unit is formed from two tents which are connectedtogether. The two cranes 2, 3 in this arrangement serve to carry thevertical forces. Arranged at the tent 1 are a plurality of pillars 10which are connected by means of cables 12 to the ring 13 (not shown) tocarry away the forces. The large crane 2 and the small crane 3 arearranged in this case in such a way that their respective radii ofaction overlap in the portion 100. Accordingly, a production operationcan be effected in the radius of action of the small crane 3, that is tosay in the small tent, in which case the goods produced can then betransported by means of the small crane 3 into the portion 100 where thegoods can then be further assembled and/or transported into the largetent by the large crane 2. Once again a concrete mixing installation 30with the corresponding silos 40 is shown externally at the large tent.Paths 50 which extend within the tents are provided for transporting ortransporting away the goods produced. In this respect those paths 50 arebetter consolidated than the remaining region of the tent floor whichfor example can comprise gravel.

A storage area 60 for the goods produced can also be provided outsidethe tent.

By way of example, pylon segment portions of wind power installationscan be produced from concrete and reinforcements, in the productionfacility. For that purpose, the reinforcement is suitably laced togetherto produce a cage, in the small tent. The small crane 3 then moves thelaced cage into the portion 100 so that the large crane 2 can take overthe cage and can set it down at the suitably provided place 20 (FIG. 1)in the large tent. The corresponding concrete casting shuttering isplaced around the cage and the concrete produced by the concrete mixinginstallation 30 is transported to the concrete shuttering for example bymeans of the containers or buckets 32 and poured into the shuttering.After the concrete has set, the shuttering is removed and acorresponding transport apparatus transports the finished concrete partsto the storage area 60. That is preferably effected over theconsolidated paths 50.

As an alternative to the above-described transport of the concrete bymeans of buckets 32 (FIG. 1), the large crane 2 can also be providedwith a suitable concrete pump so that the concrete can be pumped fromthe concrete mixing installation 30 into the corresponding shutteringmoulds at the respective working area 20 (FIG. 1).

The above-described production unit can be used in particular for theproduction of prefabricated concrete elements, such as for example pylonsegments for wind power installations or elements for prefabricatedhouse production. In other words: it is possible to achieve seriesproduction of elements which are bulky and difficult to transport orwhich becomes bulky after assembly and wherein the raw materials are tobe present on site or are to be easily transported thereto.

In regard to the production of concrete elements, it is important thatwhen setting, the concrete elements are at a determined temperature. Asa certain time is required until the concrete elements then cool downagain, the heat which is produced in that situation can be employed toheat certain regions such as for example a living region (for theworkers) in the immediate proximity of the mobile production unit.

Wind turbines are often constructed at remote locations, far fromextra-wide or heavy-duty roads and at the tops of mountains or onislands, and also far from buildings, structures or other commercialproduction facilities. It might be that the cost to build the extra-wideor heavy-duty stable roads necessary to transport completed concretepylons segments by trucks to the remote location will be impossible orcost prohibitive. According to an embodiment, the mobile productionfacilities can be set up at or near the final site for the wind turbinepylon. The raw materials, such as gravel, cement, water and othercomponents can be brought on standard trucks which do not need an extrawidth or road supports. The wind turbine pylon segments of any size canthen be manufactured in the mobile production hall 1. The mobile hall 1can be built at a very low cost. When the construction of the wind towercomponents is completed, the mobile production hall 1 can bedisassembled and moved to a new location to build a new wind turbine ata low cost. The impact on the environment is thus much less since heavyor bulky loads do not need to be transported over long distances and thecost is lower for the overall production of the final wind turbine.

The above-described re-buildable production facility can permitsubstantially autonomous production at many more or less inaccessiblelocations. In regard to power supply, it is advantageous to provide anautonomous current island network which is supplied with electricalpower by means of diesel generators, wind power, solar power, by aflywheel or the like. Particularly at remote locations the power supplyfor a production facility can entail a not inconsiderable degree ofcomplication and expenditure if for example the diesel for dieselgenerators has to be transported over great distances. In that respect,an improvement in the autonomous power supply is represented by the useof solar modules on the roof of the tent or solar modules which areintegrated into the roof of the tent. For example the illumination forthe production facility can be powered or partially powered by means ofthe solar modules and suitable energy storage devices. The provision ofsolar modules on the tent roof also has the advantage that the solarmodules provide shade. Alternatively or additionally thereto, a windpower installation can be used for the power supply for the productionfacility. It will be appreciated that in that respect a wind powerinstallation is particularly advantageous, which can be quickly set upand possibly removed again.

To provide hot water, tubes can be run on the tent roof or at the edgeof the tent roof, which are filled with water so that that water isheated throughout the day by way of the solar radiation and thereaftercan be used as process water for industrial use. This also has theadvantage that the tent structure is further weighted down so thatstability is increased.

In addition conveyor devices for bulk materials such as for examplesand, cement or the like can be arranged in such a way that they leadfrom the exterior into the tent or the concrete mixing installation inorder accordingly to transport the corresponding bulk materials to therequired locations.

The floor covering of the tent can comprise gravel, as an alternativethereto the floor can also be surfaced.

Residential containers or residential tents for the workers of theinstallation can be set up in the proximity of the facility. A waterprocessing installation for a supply of drinking water is preferablyalso provided. As workers are occupied for a certain period of time atthe building site or during production, a mobile medical stationincluding the necessary implements, equipment and the like can also beprovided.

At certain portions within the tent, in particular at the inside wall ofthe tent, it is possible to provide a peripherally extending frameworksuch as for example building scaffolding for the storage of small parts.

The production facility can be provided for rail construction, for theassembly of electricity pylons, for components of prestressed concretebridges, for components for road construction, for prefabricated houses,for goods packaging, for foodstuffs storage and/or for the processingand loading for example of an oil mill, an oil storage facility, an oilfreighting facility, for production/assembly of all parts of a windpower installation or a solar installation.

In accordance with a further embodiment there is provided a centralsupport on which a ring with spokes can be pulled up. At least onetraveling trolley can be provided on that ring with the spokes so thatthe traveling trolley can be used for raising goods or articles withinthe tent. Preferably the traveling trolley can also move along thespokes. A plurality of trolleys are also possible. Accordingly there isno need for the ring or the crane units 2, 3 to rotate as the travelingtrolley can move along the outer ring and along the spokes.

FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a production facility in accordance with afurther embodiment. Here a central unit 101 is firstly set up. That unit101 can be implemented for example by a tent. Commercially availablecontainers 102 can be docked to the outside of a hall 104 of the unit101. For example standard workstations can be embodied in the containers102 so that those workstations can be easily transported to and frombetween the various production facilities. A crane 103 which can movewithin the hall 104 is provided for transport of goods along at leasttwo axes 105, 106 within the hall 104.

To erect the above-described unit 101 or hall 104 therefore it is onlynecessary to level the ground so that thereafter a support framework forthe hall 104 can be set up, which for example is covered with a tentroof. The appropriately required special workstations are embodied asdescribed hereinbefore in the containers 102 so that they only have tobe docked to the hall 104.

That arrangement has in particular the advantage that halls of that kindcan be easily transported and erected in a short time so thatcorresponding production can be effected at any locations.

The containers 102 just described above can also be docked to theproduction facilities described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 in orderto provide specialist workstations such as for example laboratories orthe like.

The above-described production facility can also be used to producesteel pylons for example for a wind power installation.

All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications,U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applicationsand non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/orlisted in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein byreference, in their entirety.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration,various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit andscope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limitedexcept as by the appended claims.

1. A production facility for the assembly and production of goodscomprising: a central hall having connecting locations for theconnection of production modules in the form of containers, whereinsubstantially all tools and devices for processing the goods aredisposed in the containers, and wherein the central hall has at leastone device for transporting the goods.
 2. The production facility ofclaim 1 wherein the central hall includes a support structure and a tentroof.
 3. The production facility of claim 1 wherein the connectinglocations are disposed along an outer perimeter of the central hall suchthat the containers extend transversely from the central hall.
 4. Theproduction facility of claim 1 wherein the at least one device fortransporting the goods is movable along at least two translational axes.5. The production facility of claim 1 wherein the containers containsubstantially all tools and devices to produce prefabricated concreteparts.
 6. The production facility of claim 1 wherein the containerscontain substantially all tools and devices to produce pylon segmentsfor a wind power installation, the pylon segments combinable to form atleast a portion of a pylon of the wind power installation.
 7. Aproduction facility for making pylon segments for a wind powerinstallation, the production facility comprising: a central halldefining a working area and having a plurality of connection locationsconfigured to receive production modules; production modules in the formof containers connected to the central hall at the plurality ofconnection locations, the containers containing substantially all toolsand devices to make the pylon segments; and at least one crane disposedin the central hall for transporting the pylon segments and componentsthereof.
 8. The production facility of claim 7 wherein the central hallincludes a support structure and a tent roof.
 9. The production facilityof claim 7 wherein the crane is movable along at least two translationalaxes.
 10. A method for erecting a production facility for at least oneof assembling or producing goods, the method comprising: erecting acentral hall having a plurality of connection locations to receiveproduction modules in the form of containers; docking at least one of aplurality of production modules to a respective one of the connectionlocations of the central hall; and installing a device for transportinggoods in the central hall of the production facility.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 wherein erecting the central hall includes leveling a groundsurface and constructing a framework for the central hall on the leveledground surface.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein erecting the centralhall includes coupling a tent roof to the framework to substantiallydefine a covered working area within the central hall.
 13. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the production modules contain substantially all toolsand devices to produce prefabricated concrete parts.
 14. The method ofclaim 10 wherein the production modules contain substantially all toolsand devices to produce pylon segments for a wind power installation, thepylon segments combinable to form at least a portion of a pylon of thewind power installation.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:prior to erecting the central hall and docking the at least one of theplurality of production modules, transporting the production modules andcomponents of the central hall to a remote location.
 16. The method ofclaim 10 wherein docking at least one of the plurality of productionmodules to a respective one of the connection locations of the centralhall includes docking the production module at an outer perimeter of thecentral hall such that the container extends transversely from thecentral hall.
 17. The method of claim 10 wherein installing a device fortransporting goods in the central hall of the production facilityincludes installing a crane to move goods along at least twotranslational axes.
 18. A method for making pylon segments for a windpower installation, the method comprising: erecting a central hallhaving a plurality of connection locations to receive production modulesin the form of containers; docking each of a plurality of containers toa corresponding one of the connection locations, the containers definingspecialized work stations that collectively contain substantially alltools and devices needed to construct the pylon segments; installing adevice for transporting the pylon segments and components thereof withinthe central hall of the production facility; and constructing the pylonsegments within a working area defined by the central hall.
 19. Themethod of claim 18 wherein the device for transporting the pylonsegments is a crane, the crane configured to transport the pylonsegments and components thereof along at least two translational axes.20. The method of claim 18 wherein erecting the central hall includescoupling a tent roof to a framework to substantially define the workingarea within the central hall.